Santa Clarita Track Club, Inc 2014 Track and Field Parents Handbook

Transcription

1 Santa Clarita Track Club, Inc 2014 Track and Field Parents Handbook To: All Parents and Athletes From: Alan Bingham, President of the Santa Clarita Track Club, Inc. Storm On behalf of the SCTC track board, it is my pleasure to welcome you to the 2014 season. The Santa Clarita Track Club is a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax exempt organization that promotes running sports for youth in the Santa Clarita Valley. Our Tax ID number is This is an all volunteer organization, your help, support, and cooperation is critical for the overall success of this program. We require each parent/guardian to participate in helping to accomplish the various functions of this club i.e. coaching, timers, data entry, ribbons, tag pulling, officiating or judging events & relays, help at practices, clothing sales, fundraising, meet setup and tear down, assisting when we are visitors at other clubs meets, transporting pop-up tents, first aid, and more. The only way this program can be the best it can be for your children is with everyone working together and volunteering. To help you understand more about the Santa Clarita Track Club s program and philosophy, we are providing you with this Parent Handbook. It contains information regarding our club s purpose, conduct during track meets and useful information concerning parent conduct and safety rules for training. Hopefully, your questions will be answered by reading this handbook. Please contact any of the individuals listed below if you have any further questions or wish to review any of the points contained in this packet. Alan Bingham (661) President Mark Cruz (310) Director Track and Field Sincerely, Alan Bingham President Santa Clarita Track Club, Inc. 1 of 11

2 COMMUNICATION NEWSLETTER All communications from this point forward will be via our NEWSLETTER. We will not call you, as we average over 350 athletes on our roster. The only form of communication to all athletes and their families is via our newsletter. Please make sure to sign up on our website via the box in the upper right hand side of our page. Please keep in mind we do not sign you up, you must do this. Also no confirmations are sent out after you have submitted your application. You are confirmed once you sign up unless otherwise notified. URGENT ALERT TEXT SYSTEM If you would like to join our urgent Alert Text System, on your cell phone text the word "STORMTF" to and you should be greeted with a welcome message. We use this system when we need to send out an urgent message, for example, cancelled or shortened practices due to unforeseen circumstances/weather. PRACTICE SITE Our practices will be at a local high school Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays and on Saturdays. M,T,W&T are 6:00 7:45 PM Saturday s are 9:00-11am. Our practices will start on Saturday, February 15. As we get closer to the start of practice we will notify you via our final practice schedule. Saturday practices are only for pre-season conditioning. Once the season starts, meets will take the Saturday slot. PARENT AND ADULT PARTICIPATION The number of participants in the SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB varies from season to season. Parent and adult participation IS ABSOLUTELY VITAL. It takes approximately one adult for every 3 athletes to coach and administrate the SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB. During competitions with other track clubs, track conference programs, and post conference programs, additional adult participation is also necessary. WE EXPECT YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB PROGRAM. There are many job descriptions, which you will be able to fill. EXPERIENCE IS NOT A REQUIREMENT FOR MOST OF THE JOB POSITIONS. There are many types of jobs, which require adult support in order to make each track season successful. These jobs are on and off the track. We expect adults to be part of the SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB team by fulfilling and taking responsibility for the many available positions. The SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB must have the COMMITMENT OF THE PARENTS AND ADULTS representing the athletes. We depend and RELY on you to VOLUNTEER. CHILD WELFARE The Santa Clarita Track Club is sensitive to inappropriate behavior towards children. The Valley Youth Conference requires us to have all individuals that are in direct contact with your children, fill out a Volunteer Application sheet. The conference also requires a background screening, which can be handled via the link on our website. 2 of 11

3 WHAT TO WEAR OR BRING TO PRACTICE Athletes should wear proper running attire (running shorts or sweats). NO JEANS. Dependant on colder weather, sweat tops and bottoms are recommended. Please make sure to LABEL ALL CLOTHING as items often get left behind. Please bring a large bottle (20 ounces) of water to all practices and meets. When the weather heats up, more water is needed. SHOES This is the most important piece of equipment required for all track athletes. Each athlete must have a pair of good RUNNING SHOES. Cross training, basketball or mid/high tops are NOT ACCEPTABLE and may cause injury. Please check that the upper part of the shoe is mounted squarely on the sole--not lopsided--and that there is enough padding to absorb the shock of running. Athletes arriving in non-running shoes will be asked to "sit-out" practice. SPIKES Spikes are allowed to be worn by all age groups with the exception of gremlins. The use of spikes will be limited to competition and specific portions of practice only. NO ONE WILL BE ALLOWED TO USE SPIKES FOR WARM UP, COOL DOWN OR FOR THE DRILLS. IMPORTANCE OF WARM-UP, STRETCHING AND COOL DOWN Everything we do has a purpose and a reason. It is essential we instill in our kids the importance of proper warm-up before a practice or race, followed by a proper cool-down. For the body to operate at peak levels and stay injury free, our athletes need to follow this procedure before and after each race and at every practice session. Instructions on the proper technique of warm-up/cool-down will be given at every practice. Parents, please support in our effort to instill this in our athletes. 1. Upon arrival at the track for practice, your child should run the required amount of warm up laps WITHOUT being told. 2. Do not leave practice without your child doing at least 1 cool-down lap. 3. On meet days, remind your child that they need to warm-up, stretch, and cool down for each race. 4. At the meets, age group coach may be busy, so have your child get in the habit of doing the stretches themselves, or with the other kids in their age group preparing for the same race. 3 of 11

4 ABILITIES AND LEVELS OF TRACK AND FIELD ATHLETES The SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB does not pre-qualify young athletes in regards to their physical or mental capacity to participate and perform in this organization so long as they meet age and medical requirements established by the Valley Youth Conference Track Program. The SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB coaching staff will determine from the beginning and throughout the season where the athlete s development and physical abilities will be seeded. Some general standards, which will be observed to determine an athlete s qualifications, are as follows: Attendance and timeliness at practices and meets. Focus on instructions of coaching. Dedication and determination on carrying out coaching procedure. Commitment to team spirit. Camaraderie and interaction with other athletes and adults in the program. Respectful attitude for track and field etiquette. Obeying and observing track and field rules Having proper attire and equipment at all times for warm-up, warm-down, cross training, plyometrics, special event training and meet competition. Maintenance and care of uniforms, equipment, and facilities. Maintaining acceptable academic standards. Performance level in competition. These are a few of the standards that will be used to determine how the athlete is seeded, in addition to those already described elsewhere in this handbook. THERE WILL BE COACHING STAFF SKILLED AND READY TO WORK WITH THE ATHLETE S LEVEL OF CAPABILITIES. Willingness to participate, in and of itself, is a very acceptable level and standard for membership in the SANTA CLARITA TRACK CLUB. PRACTICE PROCEDURE ARRIVE on TIME and start the warm-up. Wear proper clothing and equipment (practice shirt, sweat bottoms, running shoes, good attitude). Parents may not workout or run laps on the track, there is a sidewalk going all the way around the track and parents are free to walk laps using that sidewalk. RAIN If it is raining, we will not be having practice. If your wipers are on, do not let your children out of the car, NO coaches will be at practice in raining weather. We will make every attempt to post canceled practices either via the website ( or via the Urgent Text Alert System. 4 of 11

5 SHORT LIST AND DESCRIPTION OF NEEDED VOLUNTEERS Meet Days Field preparation: The morning set-up of the equipment and field prior to the meet (five or more) Hurdles (setup/takedown): During a meet, hurdles need to be set up, moved and finally removed (five to eight people needed) Tag puller: Helping to remove the name tag from the athletes after they cross the finish line and giving tags to head tag puller (six to eight people needed) Head tag puller: Collecting tags from the athletes and placing them in order of their lane assignment (one to two people needed) Typing results into computer: Our league is computerized and we type the results as the meet goes on (one person needed at a time) Field event judge: Measuring and recording field events: high jump, long jump, shotput (five to seven people needed) Track announcer: We have a PA system that needs people to announce up coming events, during the meet (one to two people needed) Field takedown: As the meet comes to an end, we need people to help put away the equipment (five to however many show up) Non-Meet Positions Dynamic Warm-up coach: One or more parents who can assist with the dynamic warm-up (from about 6:00 p.m. to 6:20 p.m. practice days) Assistant Coaches: Help the coaches during the practices; you can help with any age group, running or field events: distance, sprints, hurdles, relays, shot put, long jump, high jump Age group parent: People who are willing to help with an age group by: calling about events and fundraisers, coordinating and distributing information to the athletes Fund raising: People to help coordinate the club s fundraisers so we can keep entry fees lower, help our athletes and upgrade our equipment Board member candidate: Help the Santa Clarita Track Club be the best we can be All of the positions listed above range from painfully easy to moderately easy. There is no need for past experience: we will train you on how to do everything. Remember that every family must volunteer in order for the program to work and the children to benefit the most. The more that everyone volunteers, the faster and smoother the meet runs. So don t delay, sign up today. Thank you. HOME MEETS The Santa Clarita Track Club wishes to maintain our reputation of running efficient, well organized home meets. This can only be accomplished by parental participation. WE NEED AND WILL BE ASKING FOR YOUR HELP! We will need you to show up early (7:00 am) and help setup the track. Please do not hesitate to volunteer for lack of experience. It takes only a few minutes to show anyone how to help with the tasks required. TRACK MEETS ARE ALWAYS MORE FUN IF YOU RE INVOLVED IN THE ACTIVITIES. 5 of 11

6 OUR HOME TRACK RULES Please help us keep in good standing with the powers that be by following the rules of the track. No gum chewing allowed. No sun flower seeds allowed. Do not bounce any balls on the track. Do not climb the goal posts. Do not climb on the lane barriers. Do not bring skate boards, roller blades, or bicycles to practice. Unsupervised athletes are not allowed in the bleachers or under the bleachers. USE THE TRASH CANS especially when you are in the bleachers. KEEP THE BATHROOMS CLEAN. Smoking is not allowed on school grounds. Alcoholic beverages are not allowed on school grounds. Pet s are not allowed on school grounds. Use only the approved length spike AWAY MEETS Our track club is a member of the Valley Youth Conference. Most teams we will be competing with are based in the north Los Angeles County area. Away meets may be held in the Simi Valley/Moorpark area, the San Fernando Valley, the Santa Clarita Valley, or the Antelope Valley. Please check driving directions for away meets and allow plenty of time for travel. Parent participation will also be required at away meets. TRACK ETIQUETTE YOU, as parents, are the best role models for your children. Please refrain from yelling or criticizing your children or other athletes. Always remember to keep a positive attitude. At any track meet, everyone is requested to observe certain rules of etiquette. When the field is not open to the public, do not enter unless requested to be there. When crossing the track, be aware of races in progress. Treat the track as if it were a busy roadway. NEVER cross over the approach area or runway of any field events. NEVER cross through the shot put area. NEVER poor mouth other competitors. Taunting and baiting is not allowed (including overt acts of celebration during competition or throwing a baton). DO NOT pace (run along-side) any runner during a race. This will result in the disqualification of that runner. Keep all non-club members (brothers, sisters, friends, relatives) under supervision. We expect our athletes (and parents) to behave in a sportsmanlike manner. You are a reflection of our club, so please act accordingly. You belong to a club that is well respected in the Valley Conference. BE PROUD OF IT! 6 of 11

7 MEET PROCEDURE Each athlete Bantam through Youth is allowed to compete in a maximum of three events, plus one relay event. Intermediate athletes may compete in a maximum of four events. Gremlins are allowed a maximum of three events including relay. The competition uniform is the only one allowed for use during the meets. If tights are worn, then the competition shorts MUST be worn over them. Only Storm Uniform shorts are allowed, no shorts from other sports such as basketball or soccer. Athletes should report to their Age Group Coach at least 30 minutes before their scheduled event for warm-up. Nametags will be given to each athlete by their Age Group Coach. These tags are to be worn for all events. Athletes checking in without tags will not be allowed to compete. Athletes should listen carefully for the announcer s call of all races. There will be three calls for each event. FIELD EVENTS: Athletes should check in at the appropriate field event upon hearing first call of that event. RUNNING EVENTS: Athletes should be wearing their tags and be warmed up upon hearing first call. Athletes then report to the appropriate location of their running event upon hearing second call. PLEASE NOTE It is NOT the responsibility of the Age Group Coach to find athletes for their events. Please pay attention to the calls. YOU, as parents, will need to help keep track of the order of events for your children, particularly with the younger age groups. Ribbons will be awarded to all participating athletes. Ribbons will be handed out at practice following the meet. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHOULD AN ATHLETE ASK FOR HIS/HER TIME OR RIBBON AT THE SCORING TABLE. Athletes in running events: STAY IN YOUR LANE UNTIL YOU ARE RELEASED BY THE LANE OR ZONE JUDGE. Interference with another runner is cause for disqualification. STANDARD SATURDAY MEET SCHEDULE Track events will begin at 8:30 A.M. The order of the competition will be as follows: RUNNING EVENTS: (Times are approximate) TIME EVENT AGE GROUP 8:30 AM 3000 meter run Midget through Intermediates 9:00 AM 80/100 meter hurdles Midget through Intermediates 7 of 11

8 RUNNING EVENTS: (continued) (Times are approximate) TIME EVENT AGE GROUP 9:30 A.M. 4X100 meter relay Gremlins through Intermediates 10:30 A.M meter run Gremlins through Intermediates 11:30 A.M. 400 meter dash Gremlins through Intermediates 12:30 P.M. 100 meter dash Gremlins through Intermediates 1:30 P.M. 800 meter run Gremlins through Intermediates 2:00 P.M. 200 meter run Gremlins through Intermediates 2:30 P.M. 4X400 meter relay Bantams through Intermediates FIELD EVENTS (Always verify start times and schedule before meet and note age group order of events below) High Jump Long Jump Shot Put 1st: Bantam Girls-Boys 2nd: Midget Girls-Boys 3rd: Youth Girls-Boys 4th: Intermediate Girls-Boys 1st: Gremlin Girls-Boys 2nd: Intermediate Boys-Girls 3rd: Midget Girls-Boys 4th: Youth Girls-Boys 5th: Bantam Girls-Boys 1st: Youth Boys-Girls 2nd: Intermediate Girls-Boys 3rd: Bantam Girls-Boys 4th: Midget-Girls Boys HURDLES The hurdle running event is available to Midgets and above. It has been our experience that not all runners are developmentally ready to run this event as a Midget. With this in mind, we are requiring that all hurdlers have to be approved by the hurdle coach before practicing for this event. DISCIPLINE AND RESPECT Please keep in mind our program has over 350 athletes and it is difficult for coaches to monitor whether or not the runners have properly participated in the stretching and plyometric exercises. If your child is late to practices, they will have to stretch with the late crew, at a designated area on the field. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL YOUR CHILD BE ALLOWED TO PRACTICE WITHOUT HAVING A 8 of 11

9 PROPER WARM-UP. Also your child will not be allowed to leave practice without doing a cool down lap. If you have to leave practice before the scheduled finish time, please allow enough time for this important portion of practice. It is in the best interest of your child that he/she adheres to this rule. All coaches will be addressed as coach by the runners, calling them coach and the first or last name of that particular coach. With the lack of respect by some of the youth these days, we at the Santa Clarita Track Club feel that this is a good vehicle to instill some respect for adults. We purchase the best equipment available for the use in our club. The high jump pit is a nice soft pad. It is designed to be used for the high jumpers to fall upon, not as a jumping pad for all to play upon. Please inform your children that they are not allowed to play on this pad. If you as parents see anyone jumping or sitting on this pad, please inform the coaching staff or ask the persons using it to please stop. PARENT / COACH COMMUNICATION As parents we always want to do what is best for our children. You know your kids better than anyone else. In the event that there is information about your child that would be beneficial to the age group coach, please let them know. One cannot expect a conversation with a coach to take precedence over practice. The age group coaches are limited on time they have with our athletes. Without the full attention of a coach practice can turn into chaos. If you need to talk to a coach, PLEASE, do so before or wait until the end of practice. GENERAL NUTRITION Let s not get carried away. Certain guidelines are important. If you serve your child a balanced meal and stay away from the fatty fast food restaurants, you go a long way in allowing your child to perform at his peak level. It is important to get your child on a proper eating program that is balanced in protein (10-15%), carbohydrates (55-65%), and fats (25-30%). Some examples of good food the night before competition might be: Protein: Chicken, fish, beans, dairy, eggs. Carbohydrates: Potatoes, pasta, bread vegetables, frozen yogurt. Fats: Butter, margarine. Try CHICKEN PARMESAN, or SPAGHETTI AND MEATBALLS, with milk as a drink. Frozen yogurt is a great desert. NO SOFT DRINKS NUTRITION ON MEET DAY Your child needs to eat a light breakfast of granola, oats, or low sugar cereal served with fruit (bananas are great). Don t send your child to the meet on an empty stomach. Your child needs to run on good fuel for good results. If your child runs out of fuel, the engine stops. Try to avoid greasy, fatty foods on the morning of the meets. They take longer to digest. 9 of 11

10 Always bring water. Light sandwiches, light healthy snacks (power bars, granola bars) and fruit to eat during the day. If your child eats light, they should be able to eat within 30 minutes of a race. NO SUGAR I know the snack stands want your business and your child wants to accommodate. If you can save the cokes, hot-dogs, nachos and candy as a reward for after a day of good competition, you will be doing your child a favor. LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIPS/LEAGUE FINALS/ CONFERENCE FINALS Athletes must have competed in at least ½ of the seasons meets to go to either League Championship, or Open Final Meets. This usually means 3 of the 6 regular meets. LEAGUE FINALS: An athlete is eligible to compete in the League Finals if they attain a mark equal to or better than the qualifying standards. These standards are posted on our website OPEN FINALS: Only those athletes who did not qualify to compete in the League Finals are eligible to participate in the Open Finials. The awards are medals or ribbons. I.E.C. (Individual Event Championships) Otherwise known as the Conference Finals, this is the final event of the year at the conference level. The top four (4) finishers in each event from both leagues (East & West) compete for medals. SUPPLIES and FUNDRAISING In order to enhance our ability to serve our team and the community, we need funding or donations of various supplies and/or equipment. Our fundraising efforts and part of the registration fee go toward providing the necessary items, but never seems to be enough. Any person or entity interested in donating, the following items would be greatly appreciated. The Santa Clarita Track Club is a non-profit organization, so any donations should be tax-deducible. Please contact your age group coach for more information. The following is a sampling of the wish-list for the club this year. General equipment replenishment. Office supplies, paper, pens, labels Medical supplies replenishment. Any and all medical first aid type supplies. LAP-A-THON This is our second largest source of income. Without this fundraiser, our club would have raise our registration fees. Therefore, we ask EVERY athlete to seek pledges on a per lap basis (maximum of one hour) and raise at least $40.00 pledges per athlete. We use this money to help defray the cost of uniforms and equipment. It is normally held during a Wednesday practice in early April and we attempt to make it a fun event, with parent s involved. 10 of 11

11 REFUND POLICY If for any reason your child wishes to withdraw from the Santa Clarita Track Club, You must contact a board member listed at the front of this packet and inform them of your request to withdraw from the team, the following refund scheduled will apply. Withdraw prior to February 15, 2014 Withdraw February 15, 2014 to February 22, 2014 Withdraw February 23, 2014 or later Merchandise sales are final, 100% Refund 50% Refund No Refund Issued No Refunds. IMPORANT DATES (Subject to change due to finalization of schedule) Meet the Coaches January 25, 11:00 4:00 PM Vincenzo s Pizza, Saugus Coaches Training February 8, 8:30 AM 1:00 PM Sequoia Charter School Gremlin Parent Meeting February 11, 5:45 PM Rio Norte Jr. High School All Others Parent Meeting February 11, 7:00 PM Rio Norte Jr. High School First Practice February 15, 9:00 AM Valencia HS Practice days: Monday and Wednesday 6:00 pm Tuesday and Thursday 6:00 pm Saturday 9:00 am TBA TBA TBA Lap-a-thon TBA Pending Track Meet Schedule First Track Meet: Storm, Rush March 22 Valencia High School Northridge Pacers, Storm March 29 Granada Hills Charter HS 16 th Annual Valley United Invitational April 5&6 College of the Canyons Eagles, Storm April 12 El Camino Real Charter HS Storm, Palmdale Bullets, Valley Raiders April 19 Valencia High School Storm, Hawks, Bears April 26 Valencia High School Western Open Final May 3 Simi Valley High School Western League Championship Final May 10 Simi Valley High School Individual Event Championship Meet May 17 LA Valley College Team Picnic May 18, 11:30-3:30 PM Newhall Park 11 of 11